What is the difference between a sprain and a strain?

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1. 1

   Epidemiology of Ankle Sprains and Chronic Ankle Instability

   Journal of Athletic Training (Herzog et al.)Published May 28, 2019Checked Oct 17, 2026

   “Additionally, acute ankle sprains have a high recurrence rate, which is associated with the development of CAI. Understanding the epidemiology of these injuries is important for improving patients' musculoskeletal health and reducing the burden of lower limb musculoskeletal conditions. DESCRIPTION: Acute ankle-sprain incidence rates are summarized among the general population, as well as among physically active populations, including organized athletics and military personnel, with a focus on incidence in the United States. The link between a prior ankle sprain and a future acute ankle sprain is described. We also discuss the association between the incident ankle sprain and adverse, long-term outcomes such as CAI and posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Finally, we summarize injury-prevention successes and future directions for research and prevention. CLINICAL APPLICATIONS: This information is useful for health care providers to understand the expected incidence rates of acute ankle sprains, be aware of the association between ankle sprains and negative short- and long-term outcomes, and be familiar with existing injury-prevention programs.”

2. 2

   The Management of Muscle Strain Injuries: An Early Return Versus the Risk of Recurrence

   Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine (Orchard & Best)Published Jan 1, 2002Checked Oct 17, 2026

   “Early loading will help to minimize secondary atrophy, but can itself increase the risk of reinjury while the scar is still weak and composed primarily of Type III collagen. Timing of return to play following muscle strain injury is often a most challenging management decision for the clinician and the therapist. The most important information that the clinician must convey to the athlete and the coach is that return to play following a muscle strain does not usually coincide with full recovery and healing from the injury. The concept of a player “carrying” an injury is an accurate one, and it helps if the player and the coach can appreciate this. It is understandable that muscle strains have a high rate of recurrence clinically, because basic science studies show that healing is much slower than our clinical findings would indicate. There appears to be a trade-off between quick return to play, rate of recurrence, and perhaps athletic performance. While we do not fully understand why muscle strains recur, and even in the future when we do, the issue of return to play will most likely be one of risk management, not risk elimination.”

3. 3

   Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ankle sprains: update of an evidence-based clinical guideline

   British Journal of Sports Medicine (Vuurberg et al.)Published Mar 7, 2018Checked Oct 17, 2026

   “The previous guideline provided evidence that the severity of ligament damage can be assessed most reliably by delayed physical examination (4–5 days post trauma). After correct diagnosis, it can be stated that even though a short time of immobilisation may be helpful in relieving pain and swelling, the patient with an acute lateral ankle ligament rupture benefits most from use of tape or a brace in combination with an exercise programme. New in this update:Participation in certain sports is associated with a heightened risk of sustaining a lateral ankle sprain. Care should be taken with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) usage after an ankle sprain. They may be used to reduce pain and swelling, but usage is not without complications and NSAIDs may suppress the natural healing process. Concerning treatment, supervised exercise-based programmes preferred over passive modalities as it stimulates the recovery of functional joint stability. Surgery should be reserved for cases that do not respond to thorough and comprehensive exercise-based treatment. For the prevention of recurrent lateral ankle sprains, ankle braces should be considered as an efficacious option.”

4. 4

   Understanding acute ankle ligamentous sprain injury in sports

   BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation (Fong et al.)Published Jul 30, 2009Checked Oct 17, 2026

   “A previous case report revealed that the ankle joint reached 48 degrees inversion and 10 degrees internal rotation during an accidental grade I ankle ligamentous sprain injury during a dynamic cutting trial in laboratory. Diagnosis techniques and grading systems vary, but the management of ankle ligamentous sprain injury is mainly conservative. Immobilization should not be used as it results in joint stiffness, muscle atrophy and loss of proprioception. Traditional Chinese medicine such as herbs, massage and acupuncture were well applied in China in managing sports injuries, and was reported to be effective in relieving pain, reducing swelling and edema, and restoring normal ankle function. Finally, the best practice of sports medicine would be to prevent the injury. Different previous approaches, including designing prophylactice devices, introducing functional interventions, as well as change of games rules were highlighted. This paper allows the readers to catch up with the previous researches on ankle sprain injury, and facilitate the future research idea on sport-related ankle sprain injury.”

5. 5

   Differentiating Ligament Sprains, Muscle Strains, And Osteoarthritis Through Biomechanical Assessment: Implications For Diagnosis And Treatment.

   International Journal of Orthopaedics Research (India & Kolanu)Published Apr 25, 2024Checked Oct 17, 2026

   “One can detect muscle imbalances or abnormal activation patterns typical of muscle strains through force plate analysis combined with electromyography thus participation in a neuromuscular training program and specific strengthening exercises will help these muscles function better and further reduce the risk of re-injury. For patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis, biomechanical assessment provides insight into abnormal joint loading patterns and kinematics which influence disease progression hence there is a need for interventions such as gait modifications, orthotics or joint protection strategies aimed at reducing pain enhancing the functionality of joints or even decelerating degeneration processes. Clinical professionals should take heed of these biomechanical considerations while planning for all-round therapy which focuses on rectification of musculoskeletal deficiencies underlying this problem thereby optimizing patient outcome.”